Well flowing device



1939- c; s. CRICKMER ET AL 2,134,635

WELL FLOWING DEVI CE Patented Dec. 26; '1939 WELL FLOWING DEVICE cm s. Crickmer and Hans c. Glitsch, Dallas, Tex, assignors to Merla Tool Company, Dallas,

Ten, a firm of Texas Application July 22, 1938, Serial No. 220,608

11 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements inwell flowing devices.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved means for lifting well liquids by means 5 of an auxiliary lifting medium, such as gas or air.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improvedwell flowing device which is adapted to be connected in the tubing string and which is arranged to control the flow of a l lifting medium from the tubing to the well liquid column in' the well casing; the device being actuated by the diiferential in pressure between' the well liquid and the lifting means and being constructed so that a low well liquid pressure will 15 operate the same, whereby the liquid pressure need not exceed the lifting medium pressure at any time which makes the invention particularly adaptable for use on wells'having a comparatively low standing liquid level and a resultant low 2 pressure.

A particular object of the inventionis to provide an improved well flowing device which includes a depressible pressure responsive'means for actuating a gas admitting valve and being 25 arranged so as to automatically and intermittent-- ly admit the lifting gas to the well liquid column, the admittance of the gas occurring when the well liquid pressure reaches a predetermined proportion of the pressure of the lifting gas, whereby 80 said liquid pressure need not equal or exceed the gas pressure before the device is operated.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved well flowing device for controlling the admittance of a lifting gas into the liquid 35 column, wherein a depressible bellows, which is exposed to the pressure of the well liquid, is employed to control the gas admitting valve,' together with means for preventing collapse of the bellows in the event the liquid pressure should .40 build up in excess of the pressure which the bellows is capable of withstanding, whereby danger of rendering the device inoperative through destruction of the bellows by excess pressure is obviated.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved device for controlling the admittance of a lifting gasto a liquid column which includes, a valve member exposed'to the gas pressure and a bellows having connection with the valve mem- 50 her and having a greater cross-sectional area than said member, the bellows being exposed to the liquid pressure, whereby the valve member is unseated to admit gas to the liquid column when the pressure of the liquid reaches a predetermined 55 proportion of the pressure of the gas; the connection between the bellows and valve member being such that said member may act as a check to prevent reverse flow of the well .liquid into the gas conductor in the event the liquid pressure exceeds the gas pressure. 5

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features of the invention. The invention will be more readily understood I from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which an example of the invention is shown, and wherein: Figure 1 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view of a flow device, constructed in accordance with w the invention, with the valve thereof in a closed vtaken on the line 4-5 of Figure 1,

Figure 5. is a horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on the line 55 of Figure 1,

Figure 6 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on the line 8-i6 of Figure l, and

'Figure 7 is a horizontal, cross-sectional viewtaken on the line 3-1 of Figure 2.

Reference is made to our co-pending application, flled November 11, 1937, Serial No. 173,305, which, while relating to the same subject matter, discloses a different and separate invention.

In the drawings, the numeral ll! designates the well casing of an oilwell and the usual well tubing H extends axially therethrough. The lower end of the casing is open and the well liquid from the producing area enters said case ing and rises to a level therein, which level varies with the particular'conditi'ons of the well. The lower end of the well tubing is preferably below the normal standing liquid level of the well and has a flow device A'connected thereto. As will be explained, a lifting medium, such as gas or air is introduced into the tubing ii and flows downwardly therethrough. The flow device A controls the admittance of this lifting-medium into the liquid column standing in'the well casing.

It is pointed out thatthe flcw device A may be termed an intermitter as it is adapted to intermittently admit gas, as needed, to the liquid column. The conditions of the well may be such that a period of time is required for the well liquid to build up to a. normal standing level and the device A is arranged to be actuated by the differential in pressures betveen the gas in the tubing and the liquid in thecasing, as will be explained, whereby a predetermined liquid level is necessary before gas is admitted to the liquid column to raise the same. After the column is raised, the device A shuts off the gas and the liquid level-must again build up before the gas is again admitted. Since the device A is adapted to be connected to the lower end of the tubing I I, the same may be employed in wells having a relatively low liquid level.

The flow device A includes an elongate housing which comprises a sleeve I2 having its upper end internally screw-threaded, whereby it may be connected to a coupling collar I3 which is attached to the lower end of the well tubing II. The lower end of thesleeve is threaded onto a nipple I4 and a hollow plug I5 depends from the nipple, having threaded connection therewith. The lower end of the plug is gradually reduced or tapered inwardly, whereby it acts as a guide during the lowering thereof through the well casing I0.

, The nipple I4 has its upper portion reduced at I6 so as to form an external, annular shoulder I'I. Vertical ports I8 are provided in the nipple and extend from the shoulder II to the bottom of the nipple. The reduced portion I6 of the nipple adjacent the ports I8 is cut away as shown at IS in Figures 2 and 7, whereby an unobstructed flow from the tubing II and sleeve I2 and downwardly through the ports may be had. Since the ports extend entirely through the nipple, it will be seen that a flow through said ports will enter the hollow plug I5.

The lifting medium, which may be gas or air, is introduced into the well tubing and flows therethrough into the sleeve I2, from where it passes downwardly through the ports into the bore I5 of the plug I5 below the nipple. The

nipple is formed with an axial bore I9 which extends vertically therethrough and an annular valve cage 20 is threaded into the lower end of this bore. The cage depends into the bore of the plug I5 and has an internal, annular valve seat 2I at its upper end. A bored cap nut 22 is threaded into the lower end of the cage.

Above the valve cage 20, the nipple is formed with a plurality of radial ports 23 which are spaced equally around the nipple,preferably being located diametrically opposite each other. As is clearly shown in Figures 1 and 6, the ports establish a communication between the bore I9 of the nipple and the exterior of said nipple.

With such arrangement, the lifting gas or air which flows downwardly through the tubing II, sleeve I2, ports I8 in the nipple, and into the bore I5 of the plug I5, travels upwardly through the valve cage 20 and the bore IQ of the nipple and then escapes through the radial ports 23 into the interior of the well casing I0.

For controlling the flow of gas past the valve seat 2|, a cylindrical valve head 24 is confined the upper end of the head and extends upwardly.

therefrom. Theupper end of the stem is secured of the nipple I4 and the valve head 24 is engaging the seat 2|, whereby a flow of gas from the tubing II to the casing I0 is prevented. -When the piston moves downwardly, the valve head is unseated and gas from the tubing I I may flow through the'sleeve I2, ports I8, plug I5, valve cage 20, past the seat 2| and finally through the ports 23 into the well'casing. Any liquid standing in Y the casing will be aerated and thus lifted to the surface. When the valve head 24 is in its seated position, it is manifest that the pressure of the lifting gas in the tubing, sleeve I2 and plug I5 is acting against the bottom of said head, thereby holding it in such seated position.

For unseating the valve head 24 when the liquid pressure in the well casing reaches a predetermined point, a bellows assembly B is disposed within the sleeve I2 above the nipple. This assembly is housed within a tubular jacket 29 which has its lower end threaded onto the reduced upper portion I6 of the nipple. The upper end of the jacket is closed, whereby the assembly B is not exposed to and is protected from the pressure of the lifting gas which passes through the sleeve I2. The bellows assembly includes an upright post 30 which has an enlarged base 30 and this base is externally threaded so that it may be screwed into the upper end of thebore I3 of the nipple. The base plate 3I of a depressible bellows 32 is fastened to theupper end of the post 30 by a headed screw 33, while the top plate 34 of said ,bellows is secured to the underside of a cap 35 by a screw 36. The cap is threaded into the upper end of a tubular housing 31 which surrounds the bellows 32. The bellows 32 is preferably constructed of a: thin metal which has an inherent resiliency and when manufactured the bellows is constructed'to resist a predetermined pressure. Although the bellows is preferably metallic, it could be made of other suitable material. The bottom of the housing has an axial opening 38 through which the upright post 30 extends and a plurality of lugs 39, which are preferably made integral with said bottom, depend therefrom. The lugs pass through radial slots 40 in the post 30 and its base and project into the bore I9 of the nipple, the extreme lower ends of said lugs engaging the top of the piston 23 which is movable within the bore I9.

It will be seen that the housing 31 is carried by the bellows 32 which is normally in an expanded position, as shown in Figure 1. The lower end of the bellows is fixed, being secured to the stationary post 30, and therefore, when a sufiicient pressureis applied to the top of the housing 3'! to depress the bellows, 'the housing moves downwardly with relation to the nipple, with the result that the depending lugs 39, which are in engagement with the piston 28, move said piston downwardly in the bore. Downward movement of the piston will unseat the valve, as explained. Manifestly, to unseat the valve head 24 which has the gas pressure acting thereagainst, it is necessary to overcome this gas pressure, as well as the inherent resistance of the bellows and, thus, the bellows is added to the gas pressure to resist opening of the valve. By varying the tension or resistance of the 7 bellows to depression; it is possible to varylthe pressure which must be applied to the top of the housing and bellows to unseat said valve head.

For exposing the bellows 32 to the pressure of the liquid in the well casing ill, the nipple I4 is provided with a plurality of angular passages 4| whichlead from the exterior of the nipple to the upper end thereof, whereby a communication between the well casing and the interior of the jacket 29 is established. The passages are located in vertical alinement with the. radial gas outlet ports 23, which disposes said passages between the vertical ports l8 in said nipple (Figure 7). The liquid from the well casing may enter the interior of the jacket and may also flow past the depending lugs 39 and upwardly through the opening 38 in the housing 31 around the upright post 30, whereby it may enter the housing 37.

In operation, with the bellowsexpanded and the housing in a raised position, the liquid completely surrounds the bellows 32 and housing 31 and exerts its pressure thereon. Since the lower plate 3| of the bellows is fixed, it is manifest that the cross-sectional area of the bellows is the effective area on which the pressure is acting. Movement of the bellows is resisted at this time by the inher- Y ent tension of the bellows plus the pressure of the lifting gas-which is acting against the housing 31 through the valve head 24 and piston 28.

The efiective CI'OSSrSGCtlOHflI area of the bellows is much greater than the efiective crosssectional area of the valve head, on which the gas pressure is acting and, therefore, the liquid pressure need only be a predetermined proportion 01 the gas pressure in order to overcome the latter and move the valve head against such pressure. For example-assuming that the eilfective crosssectional area of the bellows is four times as large as the efiective cross-sectional area of the valve head, with thegas pressure at 200 pounds, it will be manifest that when the liquid pressure reaches 50 pounds, or one fourth of the gas pressure, the valve head is moved against the gas pressure. Oi.

. course, the resistance of the bellows must be overcome in addition to the gas pressure and the above From the foregoing,- it will be seen that as soon as-the pressure of the liquid acting against the upper end of the bellows reaches a predetermined proportion of the gas pressure, the bellows 32 is depressed with the result that the housing 31 attached to the upper plate 24 or said bellows is moved downwardly. Downward movement ofthe housing causes the depending lugs 39 to engage the top of the piston 28 and push the same downwardly in the bore I! or the nipple I 4, whereby the valve head 24 secured tothe piston is moved oflf its" seat.2l. .When the valve is unseated. the lifting gas from 'the tubing l I may flow through the ports 23 into the liquid column inthe well casing to aerate said column and lift the liquid to the surface.

n the liquid pressure acting against the bellows continues to build up, the bellows 32 is-depressed until the bottom of the housing 31 strikes an external annular seat 42 formed on the stationary post I. which extends upwardly from the nipple l4. when this occurs, further depression or the bellowsisprevented anda so b one ins l i t e uid'andexposed to themtinznuidvressurapres- Patent is: A

ure 3), whereby the liquid pressure cannot enter the housing 31 and the exterior of the bellows is no longer exposed to the liquid pressure. Withthis arrangement, all danger of rupturing or collapsing the bellows by excessive pressure is obviated.

As' the liquid column is aerated. it begins its movement results in a drop of pressure in the casing. As the liquid moves faster due to more gas being admitted, a suction is'created on the bottom of the housing is closed by the seat (Fig- .upward movement in the well casing and this passages 4| which tends to draw liquid from the.

chamber formed by the jacket 29 surrounding the bellows assembly, whereby a further reduction in When the pressure within said chamber occurs.

pressure in this chamber drops below the predetermined or critical point-the gas acting against pressure again builds up to the necessary propornected with the lugs 39 of the housing and is capable of an independent movement, whereby in the event that the liquid pressure exceeds the gas nut is closed; The valve head thus acts as a check to prevent the liquid in the casing from flowing into the tubing.

The flow device is positive in its operation and is particularly adapted for use in wells having a comparatively low standing liquid level as only a relatively small liquid pressure is necessary to operate the valve against high gas pressures. The bellows assembly is such that when the pressure to which it is exposedbuilds up to a predetermined point, the pressure against the exterior of the bellows is shut oil, thereby preventing rupturing or collapsing of the bellows. Although the deviceA has been shown as connected to the lower end of a .well tubing II, it is obvious that the same may be connected at any point in said tubing string; also; any desired number of de-' vices, located at spaced points in the tubing tails of the illustrated construction may-be made,

- within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters 1. a flow device ineludihaa wen tubing, a tubular body adapted to be in the tubing string and-having ae for establishing communicatlon between the interior and exterior-or the tubirmg-meansin the passage for controlling the admittance of a lifting fluid into the Well liqsure responsive means havingconnection with the control means and normally exposed to the pressure of the well liquid, whereby said control means is moved by a predetermined differential in the pressure of the lifting fluid and well liquid, and

means for relieving the pressure responsive means of the well liquid pressure when said pressure reaches a predetermined point, whereby damage to said means by excessive pressure is obviated.

2. A well flow device including, a well tubing,

a tubular body adapted to be connected in the tubing string and having a passage for establishing communication between the interior and exterior of the tubing, a valve for controlling the flow of a lifting fluid through said passage into the well liquid column and exposed to the lifting fluid pressure, pressure responsive means having connection with said valve and normally exposed to the pressure of the well liquid, said pressure responsive means being' of a different crosssectional area than the valve whereby. said means and valve are moved by a predetermined differential in such pressure to control the flow through the passage, and means for relieving the pressure responsive of the well liquid pressure when said pressure reaches a predetermined point, whereby damage to. said means by an excessive pressure is obviated.

3. A well flow device including, a well tubing, a tubular body adapted to be connected in the tubing string and having a passage for establishing communication between the interior and exterior of the tubing, a valve for controlling the flow of a lifting fluid through said passage into the well liquid column and exposed to the lifting fluid pressure, pressure responsive means having connection with said valve and normally exposed to the pressure of the well liquid, said pressure responsive means being of a different cross-sectional area'than the valve whereby said means and valve are moved by a predetermined differential in such pressure to control the flow through the passage, and means actuated by a predetermined well liquid pressure for cutting off the application of the well liquid pressure to the pres sure responsive means to prevent damage thereto by an excessive pressure.

4. A flow device including, a well tubing, a tubu lar-body adapted to be connected in the tubing string and having a passage for establishing communication between the interiorand exterior of the tubing, means in the passage for controlling the admittance of a lifting fluid into the well liquid andexposed to the lifting fluid pressure, pressure responsive means having connection with the control means and normally exposed to the pressure of the well liquid, whereby said control means is moved by a predetermined differential in the pressure of the lifting fluid and well liquid, and means actuated by a predetermined well liquid pressure for cutting 0E the application of the well liquid pressure to the pressure responsive means to prevent damage thereto by an excessive pressure.

5. A flow device including, a well tubing, a tubular body adapted to be connected in the tubing string and having a passage for establishing comdepressible bellows having connection with the control means and normally exposed to the pressure of the well liquid, whereby said control means is moved by a predetermined differential in the pressure of the lifting fluid and well liquid,

,the flow of a lifting fluid through said passage into the well liquid column and exposed to the pressure of the lifting fluid, a depressible bellows having connection with said valve and normally exposed to the pressure of the well liquid, said bellows being of a different cross-sectional area than the valve whereby saidbellows and valve are moved by a predetermined differential in the pressure of the lifting fluidand well liquid to control the flow through the passage, and means for removing the application of the well liquid pressure to the bellows when said pressure becomes excessive to prevent damage to said bellows.

'7. A well flow device including, a well tubing, a tubular body adapted to be connected in the tubing string and having a passage for establishing communication between the interior and exterior of the tubing, a valve for controlling the.

,moved by a predetermined differential in .the

pressure of the lifting fluid and well liquid to control the flow through the passage, and a housing surrounding the bellows and movable by the wellliquid pressure and arranged to completely enclose said bellows when the well liquid pressure reaches a predetermined point, whereby said bellows is protected from excessive pressure. 8. A well flow device including, a well tubing,

'a tubular body arranged to be connected in the well tubing and lowered therewithinto a well cas-' ing and having a passage for establishing com munication between the tubing and easing, means for supplying a lifting fluid under pressure to the tubi a valve for controlling the flow of lifting fluid from the tubing to the ,well liquid column in the well casing and exposed to the pressure of said lifting fluid, a depressible bellows above the valve normally exposed to the well liquid pressure, means secured to and movable with the bellows and having connection with the valve whereby movement of said valve is controlled by the differential inpressure of the lifting fluid and well liquid, and means coacting with the movable means for shutting ofi the well liquid pressure to the' bellows when said pressureexceeds a predetermined point.

9. A well flow device including, a well tubing, a tubular bodyarranged to be connected in'the well tubing and lowered therewith into a well casing and having a passage for establishing communication between the tubing and casing, means for supplying a lifting fluid under pressure to the tubing, a valve for controlling the flow of lifting fluid from the tubing to the well liquid column in the well casing and exposed to the pressure of said lifting fluid, a depressible bellows above the valve normally exposed to the well liquid pressure, a housing surrounding the bellows and secured thereto and having an inlet opening therein to permit the well liquid pressure to act on the exterior of the bellows, said housing having connection with the valve 'whereby movement of the valve is controlled by the differential in pressures acting on the bellows and on the valve, and means for closing the inlet opening of the housing when said housing has moved a predeterpressure of said lifting fluid, a depressible bellows above the valve normally exposed to the well liquid pressure, means secured to and movable with the bellows and having connection with the valve whereby movement of said valve is controlled by the differential in pressures of the lifting fluid and well liquid, and means coacting with the movable means for shutting ofi the well liquid pressure to the bellows when said pressure exceeds a predetermined point, the connection between the valve and said movable means being such that said valve is capableof independent movement, whereby in the event that the well liquid pressure exceeds that of the lifting fluid pressure,'the valve is moved to act as a check and prevent back flow through the passage.

11. A well flow device including, a well tubing, a tubular body arranged to be connected in the well tubing and lowered therewith into a well casing and having a passage for establishing communication between the tubing and casing, means for supplying a lifting fluid under pressure to the tubing, a valve for controlling the flow of lifting fluid-from the tubingto the well liquid column in the well casing and exposed to the pressure of said lifting fluid, a depressible bellows above the valve normally exposed to the well liquid pressure, a housing surrounding the bellows and secured thereto and having an inlet opening therein to permit the well liquid pressure to act on the exterior of the bellows, said housing having con nection with the valve whereby movement of the valve is controlled by the diiferential in pressures acting on the bellows and on the valve,'and means for closing the inlet opening of the housing when 4 said housing has moved a predetermined amount, whereby the well liquid pressure to the bellows is cut off when said-well liquid pressure exceeds a predetermined point, the connection between the valve and said housing being such that said valve is capable of independent movement, whereby in the event that the well liquid pressure exceeds that of the lifting fluid pressure, the valve is CHARLES s. CRICKMER. HANS c. GLITSCH. 

